Oil prices slip from 2014 highs
Oil slipped on Thursday on indications of rising U.S. stocks and as investors took profits after a recent price rally, but strong demand and short-term supply disruptions continue to support prices close to their highest since 2014, Reuters reported.
Brent crude futures were down 45 cents, or 0.5%, at $87.99 a barrel by 1242 GMT after dropping more than $1 in earlier trade. The global benchmark rose to $89.17 on Wednesday, its highest since October 2014.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for February delivery were down 46 cents, or 0.5%, at $86.50 a barrel after dropping nearly $1 earlier. The contract, which expires on Thursday, climbed to $87.91 on Wednesday.
The more active March WTI contract was down 34 cents, or 0.4%, at $85.46.
"The voices of those forecasting $100 per barrel oil are getting louder by the day," said Tamas Varga at oil brokerage PVM.